And the Sun Rises on Her Now

[Her story doesn't end.]

"I'm sorry-" she began.

"Don't…don't ever apologize for Lionel. For any of this."

She sank down on the edge of her desk, unable to look at him.

He stepped closer to her. "Hey, look at me."

She met his gaze reluctantly.

"You are exactly the same person I first met on that island."

She chuckled sadly. "Evidently I'm not. Though it's kind of you to say so."

Oliver cupped her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"Don't underestimate me. I know what I'm talking about."

Then he got that twinkle in his eye he always got when he was about to tease her. "And no matter how much you might like to blame all your mistakes on being a Luthor, I'm afraid you can't weasel out of taking credit for them. Although it's a damn good try!"

She giggled softly, adoring him for finding a way to make her laugh. He was still her hero.

"Damn, you figured out my master plan," she teased back, playing with him, as always.

"But you should also take credit for your victories."

Her eyes met his, and he dropped his hand from her face. "I trust you, Mercy."

She never thought he'd trust her again. She'd needed to hear those words from him for so long. She exhaled, relieved.

Oliver motioned his hand back and forth between them. "This is normally the part where you say it back to me."

"Is it now?"

"Yes. So chop chop. Times a wastin'."

Oliver's "gimme love" face was priceless.

He brushed a lock of auburn hair behind her ear and just when she thought he'd given up trying to get a compliment out of her, he announced, "I'm not getting any younger!"

The End!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: Waves, Elisa.